One of the best!
This Tom Waits album was the first I ever heard and I still think it's the best.
An alternative look at some alternative songs
The mad genius that goes behind his music is so deep, so broad, that any lesser musician who attempts to dissect the material (or, God forbid, make it their own) is stepping into a pool of quicksand. Really, only Tom Waits could re-invent a Tom Waits tune.
Therefore, "Big Time" is an album only Tom Waits could do. To be true, these songs weren't meant to be performed live, and most lose something in translation to the stage. However, they are still good ol' tunes about. . . um, well, we're not quite sure what they're about. The wayward soul anthem "Train Song" is prefaced by a Civil War love story (of a violent, bloody, head-cocking sort). The Christian-themed "Way Down In the Hole" features an all-too-devilish rasp. And "16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six" is simply bada**, if I may coin a phrase. These 18 tunes are probably not Waits' best-to-date, but what the hell--they're ecclectic enough to make you listen repeatedly for a meaning that probably isn't there in the first place. And somewhere along the way, you're almost bound to lose your sanity.
Unsurpassable.
In fact this is my favourite album of all time. I absolutely love Tom Waits and in my opinion this is the greatest single body of work he has ever produced, bar none.
It doesn't matter if you are a fan or not this is an essential addition to you record collection.
More delight from the master who just sounds like his own self
However, I keep getting pulled back to his 80's material. Frankly, my dear, I prefer his 70's period. Beautiful Maladies, his greatest hits of his 80's period, is addicting. This is essentially a live version of that, without having the same exact songs. I love both. I gotta admit, I focused on his 70's period music (Heart of Saturday Night, Small Change, Nighthawks at the Diner, Heartattack and Vine, Foreign Affairs, Blue Valentine, One From the Heart) from 1974 when I saw him on the Mike Douglas (variety) TV show and instantly fell in love (yes, I'm hetero, it's just a music thang) till the 2000's. Then I started to begin to more throughly enjoy his 80's period (Swordfishtrombones, Franks Wild Years, Rain Dogs, Beautiful Maladies and Big Time).
The 90's and 2000's records are too darned dark and stark and harsh for me with only the rare song appealing to me. However, I do like Real Gone. Big Time delivers his live sound and it's pure satisfaction. Brings these studio songs to life because that's what he does: put on a great live show. Heck, if you can, get the video release too of Big Time. I read it's not all the same songs as this CD. Fun visual of his exaggerated stage presence/showman character. chrisbct@hotmail. com.
One Question
Hey, baby, wouldn't it be fine if the movie of "Big Time" was released on DVD? Ever since they invented DVDs, I been wishin and hopin.
You can see a complete list of all Tom Waits discography, or go back to the Tom Waits tabs
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